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The Los Angeles terminal forecast issued by the USWB at 2045, vaild for a 12-hour period beginning at 2100 was in part as follows. 2100-2200, partial obscuration, visibility 1-1/2 miles, ground fog and haze, dense ground fog in vicinity, 2200-2300, partial obscuration, visibility 1/2 mile, ground fog, 2300-0800, ceiling zero, sky obscured, visibility zero, fog.
No maintenance was required or performed at San Francisco. The aircraft's weight and center of gravity (c.g.) were within the prescribed limitations.
Flight 221 departed San Francisco at 2206 on an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) clearance to Los Angeles International Airport.
The Flight proceeded normally in accordance with its clearance and at 2315, when in the vicinity of Bakersfield, California, the crew received the regularly scheduled weather broadcast on the Bakersfield low frequency radio range. This broadcast included the Los Angeles surface weather observation. At 2300 this observation was Partial obscuration, visibility 1/2 mile, ground fog, smoke, temperature 51°F., dewpoint 49°F., wind southwest 3 knots, altimeter 30.10 inches, runway visual range (25L) 6,000 feet plus, runway 07 runway visibility 3/4 mile, runway 24 runway visibility 1/2 mile, runway 06 runway visibility less than 3/16 mile, fog obscuring 3/10 of the sky, surface visibility 7/8 mile.
After the flight's arrival in the Los Angeles terminal area the following weather observation for Los Angeles International Airport was transmitted by approach control, "... sky partially obscured; visibility one-half (mile) ground fog and smoke." Normal vectoring services were provided by approach control and subsequently the flight was cleared for an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to runway 25L.
At 2337 Western 221 reported over the outer marker inbound. After intercepting the ILS glide slope the flight was instructed to contact Local Control and monitor the localizer frequency for Precision Approach Radar (PAR) advisories. At this time the PAR controller advised Western 221 that it was four miles from touchdown, on course and on glide slope.
At 2339, the flight was cleared to continue the approach and advised that, "the approach and strobe lights[1] will be cut down at your request." Western 221 was informed by the PAR controller that it was on course and glide slope at 2-1/2 miles from touchdown and requested to, "... advise runway in sight."
At 1-1/2 miles from touchdown the flight was advised by PAR that it was 100 feet left of course on glide slope and at one male from touchdown it was reported 100 feet left of course still on glide slope. The local controller then cleared the flight to land. At 3/4 mile from touchdown the flight was advised that it was 200 feet left of course and if they did not have the runway in sight to execute a missed approach. Western 221 advised the tower that they had visual contact with the runway at that time The aircraft's radar target, was then observed by the PAR controller to correct back to the course centerline prior to reaching the touchdown zone.
- ↑ Flashing sequence condenser discharge lights.
